Buttons



(No-Model.) Y

J. FVTHA'YER.

INSTRUMENT FOR SETTING BUTTONS.

- Patented Peb.27,1883.

- attaching buttons to shoes or other articles of UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

JAMES F. THAYER, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

INSTRUMENT FOR SETTING BUTTONS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 272,919, dated February27, 1883.

Application filed January 8, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beitkuown that I, JAMES F. THAYER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Provideuce, in the countyof Providence and State of RhodeIsland. have invented certain new and usefulImprovementsinInstrumentsforSetting Buttons; and I do hereby declare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and toletters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part ofthis specification.

My inventionrelatestocertainimprovements in the construction ofsetting-instruments for wear; and it consists of a new and novelarran'gementofmovableclinching-dies,combined with one jaw of theinstrument; and it further consists in the use of a movable wedge-shapedpiece,combined with the otherjaw ofthe instrument, for retaining thebutton in position preparatory to being attached to the shoe or fabric.

In the accompanyingdrawings,in which similar letters indicate likeparts, Figure l represents a front view of a setting-iustrumentemvbodying my improvements, and also showing a button and fastener inposition, ready for clinching. Fig. 2represents a partial top view ofthe upper jaw, showing the movable wedge. Fig. 3 represents a verticallongitudinal central section of a portion of the lower jaw of asetting-instrument, showing the inclined longitudinal movable diesexpanded, together with a button and fastener in position. Fig. 4 is avertical transverse section of the jaw on line was of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 isthe same asrepresented' in Fig. 3, except that dies are contracted andthe fastener clinched. Fig. 6 represents a modification of my invention,showing in vertical transverse section the jaw fitted with transverseinclined movable dies contracted and adapted to clinch astaple-fastener. Fig. 7 represents a partial side elevation of the jawcorresponding to Fig. 6. Fig. 8 represents the same as shown in'Fig. 6,except that the dies are expanded and the fastener clinched. The lattersix views are drawn enlarged.

A and B represent respectively the upper and lower jaws of the settingtool or instrument, terminatingin handles to be operated in a well-knownmanner. The upperjaw. A, is fitted with a recess opening from the frontside and extending partially through the jaw, the bottom of the recessbeing parallel with the face of thejaw, and provided through its centerwith a slot, which is to receive the eyes of both the button b andfastener b.

O is a piece fitted into and extending laterally through said jaw A, asshown, the tree end tial, as it serves to retain the button and fastenersecurely in position preparatory to being clinched by my improved diesabout to be referred to. The other portion of my invention consists ofthe sliding inclined dies h h, fitted into the lowerjaw, B, said diesbeing slightly roughened orserratcd on the top side. The under sidethereof may be dovetail in shape and inclined to the face of the jaw,the latter being planed out to correspond therewith, said jaw B beingalso provided with openings for the reception of the springs t, thelatter serving to retain the dies h in their normal position.

In fitting the jaw B with my improved dies h h, I may arrange them asshown in Fig. 3, whereby the prongs of the fastener are bent inwardlyand clinched or, as in the case of a staple, (see Fig. 6,) the dies mayhavea motion the reverse of that shown in Fig. 3, whereby the prongs ofthe fastener are bent outwardly and clinched.

Instead of arranging the movable dies parallel to or at right angleswith the face of the jaw B, I may tit them obliquely or diagonallytherewith,so as to bend the prongs of the fasteners diagonally with theeye of the button, instead of parallel to or at right angles therewith.

In lieu of the roughened top surface of the dies, I may make them withone or more concaved grooves, or, in fact, any shape to correspond withthe form of clinching deemed most desirable.

In the operation of attaching buttons, &c., to shoes or otherwearing-apparel, the button 12, having attached thereto a metallicfastener provided with prongs, is placed in the slot of the recess oftheupperjaw, A, of the instruwent, after which the wedge-shaped bar cisforced outwardly by the lever D toward the front side. When coming incontact with the under side-0f the button thelatter is pressed overuntil its opposite side rests upon the bottom of the recess, as shown,thereby wedging and securely holding the button and fastener to beclinched. The instrument is now placed in position, with the fabric ormaterial 1) between the two jaws, when by closing said' jaws the prongsare forced through the fabric, and the points thereofcomingin contactwith the roughened surface of the dies h are thus prevented from slidingon the face of said dies until the 5 jaws are brought sufficiently neareach other,

- l aware I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an instrumentfor setting buttons, the combination, with the jawsthereof, of movable dies, the under sides of which are beveled andadapted to slide upon one of the jaws during the operation of attachingthe buttons to the fabric, substantially as described and set forth. 2.In an instrument for setting buttons, the

movable dies h h,roughened or serrated on top and beveled underneath, incombination with 5 Iabric is completed,substantially as described andshown.

4. In an instrument for setting buttons, the combination, with the jawsthereof, of the sliding bar 0, beveled at 0, and lever D, the wholearranged to securely hold the button and fastener in position with thejaw during the oper- 6o ation of attaching buttons to the fabric,substantially as described and shown.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

JAMES F. THAYER. Witnesses GEO. F. PREN'IIOE,

I A. SMITH, Jr.

